Drive-Thru Government: Rush Order
It’s probably safe to say that Coral Gables just executed one of the most spontaneous and slapdash appointments of city manager in the history of municipal government. To be sure, the hell-or-high-water urgency with which KFC installed Amos Rojas Jr. enjoyed no logistical or procedural justification. The acting city manager, Alberto Parjus, had agreed to stay on for three months, so it’s not as if there was no one at the helm. And it is not as if Mr. Rojas was in such high demand that we risked losing him to another bidder—the man literally said he was sipping wine at his vacation home when he got the call about the job.
Threats, lies, and intimidation
So why the profound haste? What sudden emergency forced our city commission to act with a level of dramatic urgency that hasn’t been seen since November 22, 1963?
If you’re willing to believe KFC, there was a certain exigency that stemmed from our very own mayor and vice mayor being depraved and intimidating thugs who were determined to sabotage at all costs anything resembling a normal hiring process. Lago might have sent a text message, you see! And Anderson, the raving lunatic that she is…well, there’s no telling what she was willing to do! This is not just a case of my reading between the lines either. Just listen to what the always eloquent Dr. Castro had to say on the matter:
Then there was Ariel, who claimed that if only Lago and Anderson weren’t such bullies, the commission could have followed “a routine process.” He said this mere seconds before he outlandishly accused Lago and Anderson of threatening Rojas from the dais:
I highly recommend that you stop and savor the delicious stupidity of Ariel accusing Lago and Anderson of somehow threatening Rojas during the commission meeting—as if no one else was watching or, you know, in the room.
Really, all the man had to do was keep his mouth shut until it was time to vote. Instead, with one daft comment he completely undermined KFC’s entire threat-and-intimidation narrative by exposing the fact that merely pushing back on whatever they want constitutes a threat in their clown world. You almost have to feel sorry for these people. They spent months cultivating that little victim narrative of theirs (they even got the Herald to bite) only to have Ariel come along and accidentally pull a Jonathan Frakes on it:
But, here is where everything really breaks down. I doubt KFC realized this, but Ariel undermined the entire rationale for their insanely half-baked operation during his opening remarks:
I see. So, Rojas is just the right man for the job because he’s one tough cop who “can deal with threats, lies and intimidation tactics and is unfazed by them.” Got it.
But, also, Rojas can’t be subjected to so much as an interview because Lago and Anderson might scare him off with…threats, lies, and intimidation tactics.
That’s some delectable KFC logic right there.
Public nuisance
Look, you’re perfectly entitled to believe whatever you like. You can believe all you want in Bigfoot, fake moon landings, and the notion that a supposedly no-nonsense, tough-as-nails, unflappable former federal marshal who obviously does not give a flying fig about what Lago and Anderson think of him and who clearly wanted the job very badly was somehow at risk of being frightened off by…a job interview.
But, if you’re looking for something to believe in that’s a teensy-weensy bit more plausible, allow me to suggest the following: when it comes to hiring Rojas, maybe, just maybe, the fact that KFC chose literally the only path that completely circumvents public input was not a coincidence.
Maybe, just maybe, Ariel’s hiding Rojas in the tall grass of Lago and Anderson’s resolution instead of placing his own resolution on the agenda was more than a matter of mere convenience.
Maybe, just maybe, the reason Rojas had to be hired right there on the spot had something to do with preventing the matter from spilling over to the next commission meeting—a commission meeting at which you, the residents, could have opined.
Maybe, just maybe, after getting their butts reamed over the elections, their raises, and firing Peter Iglesias, KFC simply said enough is enough: let those ungrateful bastards eat cake.
Maybe, just maybe, Rojas was being hidden not from Lago and Anderson…but from you.
All I can say in this mess is get out and vote in our local elections. We are paying dearly for this mess due to the abysmal voter turn out. You want change??? Its real simple….VOTE
I've finally taken the time to read and listen twice to the tapes. Yes, I know recordings can be taken out of context. I don't believe that is the case here.
To very honest I was expecting more mature, well-thought-out opinions and ideas. Instead I hear sniping and insulting from the 2 newbies who showed up and immediately gave themselves very nice raises.
Dr. Castro (in what field are you a doctor?) I understand that is how everyone is to address you... stop whining and act and make decisions responsibly and professionally. Ariel, I expected, with how you handled your publication, that you would be more of a team player instead you are clearly staging your own little coup. Kirk, when we met I enjoyed chatting and getting to know you. Back then I saw you as a team player rather than a full on wishy washy disrupter.
How the firing of Iglesias was handled, as well as the new CM hire stinks to high heaven. Obviously it can't be proven but I would love to know exactly how much you all broke the Sunshine Law. This was far too well choreographed.
I am not saying Rojas is a bad choice, however, you gave the residents ZERO chance to have input. You engineered the whole thing very neatly.
Congratulations, now we rank with other cities in the county for questionable behavior and decisions from our elected officials.
I will remind you that you ALL on that dais are paid employees of the City and we, the residents, are who you have to answer to. You have created an unpleasant ambience. I only hope that upcoming commission meetings are less contentious, and yes, less b*tchy. Handling items professionally rather than surprising everyone, including the 2 members of the commission that you have decided are opponents, rather than colleagues is disgraceful. NOTHING is black and white, most is negotiable and this trio has chosen belligerence and unpleasantness.
It does NOT reflect well on the bulk of the residents who had hoped they were getting a functional commission and instead have received dysfunction times three.
Please, make an effort to be more professional. This division does the City no good. Look at the recordings with an objective eye and see if that behavior is really how you want to be seen throughout your tenure.
All 5 on the dais will be watched closely, and, yes, judged. It would be pleasant to have a sea change in attitude rather than the bickering and sniping.
We the residents are hoping so. Drama gets old.
Yes, I OWN this opinion piece. Unlike others I am proud to give my name. I don't expect to need police protection. That drama needs to end.